"I must make myself tidy," she said, "if you won't mind waiting a minute. I am simply not fit to be seen."
The statement appeared to be exaggerated to Tony, but he allowed it to pass unchallenged.
"Please don't hurry," he said. "I want to use the telephone, and if I finish first I can brood over what we'll have for supper."
She smiled again—this time more naturally, and taking the dressing-bag that he had been carrying for her, disappeared into the cloak-room. Tony abandoned his hat and coat to a waiter, and then sauntering forward, entered the restaurant.
The moment he appeared the manager, who was standing on the other side of the room, hastened across to greet him.
"Bon soir, Sir Antony," he observed with that dazzling smile of welcome that managers only produce for their most wealthy customers. "May I 'ave ze pleasiare of finding you a table."
Tony nodded indulgently. "You may, Gustave," he said: "A table for two with flowers on it, and as far away from the band as possible." He paused. "Also," he added, "I want a really nice little supper. Something with imagination about it. The sort of supper that you would offer to an angel if you unexpectedly found one with an appetite."
The manager bowed with a gesture of perfect comprehension.
"And while you are wrestling with the problem," said Tony, "I should like to use the telephone if I may."
He was shown into the private office, where, in response to polite and repeated requests, a lady at the Exchange eventually found leisure to connect him with Shepherd's Oyster Bar.